Mental health and wellbeing has been a focus for pupils across the school this week marking Children’s Mental Health Week, the national awareness week organised by children and young peoples’ mental health charity Place2Be, with the theme for 2025 as Know Yourself, Grow Yourself.
In the Senior School pupils spent PSHEE sessions discussing self-reflection, understanding emotions, strengths and areas for growth, and exploring strategies to help build resilience and self-growth.
The Junior School organised a series of activities across the year groups throughout the week, with assemblies to introduce the theme.
Reception pupils shared their thoughts on what makes each of them special while in Years 1 to 2 the children identified aspects of their life that bring joy as well as things they dislike. Class discussions followed, centring on points of commonality and points of difference.
Children in Years 3 to 6 turned their minds to things that they can do well and things they would like to do better, improve upon or learn afresh. They discussed how they feel when they have been able to pick up a new activity with ease and what emotions they have experienced when an activity has been challenging; with the latter prompting shared ideas on what support they could draw upon to help them achieve their goals.
Sue Gurr, Junior School Deputy Head and Pastoral Lead, said: “Children’s Mental Health Week is an important event in our Junior School calendar and a wonderful vehicle for teaching our children to respect and celebrate diversity, whilst getting together with friends to enjoy a range of related activities to help awareness and understanding of mental wellbeing. While activities are adjusted according to the age of the children, the messages are consistent, and include where to go for help if needed.”
